Abhishek Sharma registered his 7th T20I duck in 2026 [Source: AFP]Abhishek Sharma had an anticlimactic start to the Japan tour as he was dismissed for a golden duck in the historic one-off T20I against the home side. Opening the batting for India, Abhishek was dismissed on the very first delivery he faced, with left-arm spinner Charlie Hinze getting his prized scalp in the opening over. After winning the toss, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bat first in the rain-curtailed contest at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The decision proved disastrous for the tourists, as Japan produced an incredibly disciplined bowling effort, restricting them to 32 for four in 5 overs. Abhishek Sharma registers golden duck as Charlie Hinze rules the roost vs IndiaAs expected, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma came out to open the batting for India after Iyer opted to bat and put runs on the board. After Samson collected seven runs in the first five deliveries, Hinze got rid of Abhishek to conclude the opening over on a high note. Also Read: Australia Stars Who Must Perform In South Africa ODIs To Avoid 2027 World Cup ExclusionCharlie Hinze came around the wicket and bowled a full-length delivery that finished outside the leg stump. As Abhishek attempted for a big shot in the leg side, he miscued the lofted hit, eventually being caught at the short fine leg. Abhishek Sharma joins Saim Ayub in hall of shame with duck vs JapanAbhishek Sharma's shambolic outing marked his seventh duck in T20Is in 2026. Thus, the swashbuckling Indian opener joined Pakistan's Saim Ayub on the list of batters with the most ducks in a calendar year. Most Ducks in a Calendar Year in T20Is7 - Zappy Bimenyimana (Rwanda) in 20237 - Orchide Tuyisenge (Rwanda) in 20237 - Saim Ayub (Pakistan) in 20257 - Abhishek Sharma (India) in 2026*All embarrassing records made by Abhishek Sharma vs JapanMost Ducks in a Calendar Year in T20sBesides joining Saim Ayub and two other cricketers on the list of batters with the joint-most T20I ducks in a calendar year, Abhishek Sharma also went past Rashid Khan and Shadab Khan for the most ducks in a year in T20 cricket. This was Abhishek's tenth T20 duck, including three in the IPL 2026. Rashid Khan and Shadab Khan had registered nine T20 ducks each in 2019 and 2024, respectively. Most T20I ducks for India: Abhishek Sharma goes past Virat KohliIn another unwanted feat, Abhishek Sharma also overtook Virat Kohli on the list of Indian batters with the most T20I ducks. Kohli took 117 innings to score seven ducks, while Abhishek has surpassed him in just 59 innings. Currently, Rohit Sharma has the most T20I ducks for India (12), followed by Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who have eight ducks each in the shortest international format. Most golden ducks in T20Is: Abhishek joins Rohit Sharma at the topAbhishek Sharma registered his fifth golden duck in T20Is in the one-off match against Japan. Thus, he equalled former captain Rohit Sharma for the most golden ducks for the Indian team in T20Is. Also Read: India Vs Japan Revised Playing Conditions Announced
